While using coffee grounds in the garden offers quite a few benefits, they can be slightly acid and therefore not appropriate for all plants. So which plants like coffee grounds? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
The Basics Of Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which is an essential element needed by all plants in order to make chlorophyll. It’s also vital for the proper growth and development of both tissues and cells. Their high nitrogen content and the fact that they’re all-natural means many gardeners use coffee grounds as fertilizer for their plants.
But since they can be slightly acidic, if you will be applying them regularly they can influence the pH of your soil making it more acidic as well. So while all plants can benefit from the nitrogen in grounds occasionally, they are often used for acid-loving plants in particular. Luckily there are many plants that love slightly or even a bit more acidic soil.
Coffee-Loving Plants
Popular garden flowers that will thrive in acidic conditions include such examples as marigolds, daffodils, and the famously fragrant lily of the valley. Of course, you’ll want to remember that while lily of the valley is safe to touch, it is poisonous when eaten. So it can be very dangerous for curious kids and pets.
Blue hydrangeas also require acidic soil, and without it they can lose their color. In fact, you can actually turn pink hydrangeas blue with coffee grounds since regular applications will increase soil acidity. Roses have their best blooms in slightly acidic soil and for this reason, many gardeners use coffee grounds for roses.
Shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias, and Japanese Pieris also will do well when supplemented with grounds. Blueberries and strawberries both need acidity as well. And using coffee grounds for tomatoes will help to provide the soil conditions they need for optimal growth.
How To Apply Coffee Grounds For Plants
Regardless of how you apply your coffee grounds, you’ll always want to make sure you let them cool down to room temperature first to avoid killing helpful microbes and bacteria or even damaging the plants themselves.
Directly To The Soil
Before placing your plants in the ground you can mix a layer of coffee grounds into the soil about six to seven inches deep. If your plants are already in place, sprinkle a thin layer of coffee grounds around plants on top of the soil.
Adding a layer that is too thick, however, can end up blocking both water and air from reaching the roots of the plants below. By placing a couple of inches of mulch on top of the layer of grounds it will help them to break down faster giving your plants quicker access to the nitrogen they contain.
In The Compost
Placing your grounds in the compost is another option. By doing this, it gives the grounds time to break down and release their nitrogen and other benefits into the compost. After three or four months the compost can then be added as a layer on top of your garden soil.
When using coffee grounds in compost you’ll want to remember to limit the total amount of grounds used to twenty percent of your bin or pile for optimal benefits. And don’t forget to throw your paper coffee filters in the compost too.
Now that you know which plants like coffee grounds you can get started putting them to good use in your garden and cutting down on waste. Simply choose the method which is the most convenient for you.
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